Nesting-box



No. 625,975. Patented May 30, I899. J. HERFERT.

NESTING BOX.

(Application filed Aug. 8, 1898.)

(No Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet l.

No. 625,975. Patented May 30, I899.

J. HERFERT.

NESTING BOX.

(Application filed Aug. 6, 1898.)

2 Sheets-Sheet 2.

(No Model.)

W ih esszs UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

NESTlNG-BOX.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 625,975, dated May 30, 1899.

Application filed August 6, 189 8. Serial No. 687,984. (No model.)

1'0 all w/wm, it may concern:

Be it known that I, JOSEPH HERFERT, a citizen of the United States, residing at Tucker, in the county of Cowlitz and State of \Vashington, have invented a new and useful Nesting-Box, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to nesting-boxes for hens, and has for its object to provide a simple and efficient construction whereby the occupation of the nest by a hen will insure the closing of the box, and hence prevent theiutrusion of other fowls.

Further objects and advantages of this invention will appear in the following description, and the novel features thereof will be particularly pointed oot in the appended claim.

In the drawings, Figure l is aperspective View of a nesting-box constructed in accordance with my invention. Fig. 2 is a longitudinal section of the same. Fig. 3 is a detail view of the nest-holder detached.

Similar numerals of reference indicate corresponding parts in all the figures of the drawlugs.

The essential features of the construction of the nesting-box embodying my invention may be employed in connection with independent nesting-boxes which may be provided with suitable roofs or covers or in connection with nesting-boxes arranged in tiers in a hen-house or otherwise, and thereforein the drawings I have deemed it sufficient to illustrate the essential features of the construction without reference to any specific form of cover, as this element may be constructed and applied in various ways to suit the conditions under which the apparatus is used. In the drawings I have shown an inclosure or cage 1, of which the entrance or only point of access is fitted with a hinged door 2, preferably mounted at its lower edge to open downwardly and outwardly, for the reason that the weight of the door may be depended upon to a certain extent to open the same when released. Also the front end of the cage is preferably inclined forwardly and upwardly to hold the door when closed in a similar inclined position, whereby the opening of the door when released is promptly accomplished. The opening movement of the door is limited by cords 3 or the equivalents thereof, as any other suitable form ofstop may be substituted therefor.

W'ithin the cage and preferably at the end remote from the entrance is located a vertically-movable or yieldinglysupported nestholder 4, consisting of a box or its equivalent, and in the construction illustrated the means whereby this box is supported consist of elastic or spring bands 5, suitably attached to the frame of the cage. Obviously coiled springs or other equivalents, such as weights, may be employed in lieu of the devices shown for yieldingly supporting the nest-holder, although I consider spring supporting devices to be preferable, for the reason that when subjected to the weight of the hen the nestholder is moved comparatively slowly to its depressed position. Connection is established by means of cords 6 or their equivalents between the nest-holder and the door 2, said cords or the equivalents thereof passing over suitable direction-pulleys 7 and 8. Also arranged in front of the nest-holder and at such an elevation as to be slightly below the upper edge of the nest-holder when the latler is elevated and slightly above the same when the holder is lowered is a perch 9 to facilitate the approach of the fowl to the nest.

The connections between the door and the yieldingly supported vertically movable nest-holder are of such length as to properly close the door before the-nest-holder reaches a stationary stop or comes into contact with the floor of the box, whereby while occupied the nest-holder exerts a constant strain upon the connections, and thus maintains the door in a tightly-closed position. On the other hand, the transfer of the weight of the fowl to the perch in the act of leaving the nest allows the latter to rise, and thus releasing the door permits the same to open to give egress to the occupant of the box.

In rear of the nest-holder is arranged a vertical guide-rod 10, secured at its upper and lower ends to the frame of the box and carried by the nest-holder, and extending rearwardly from the same is a guide-eye or traveler 11, through which said guide-rod extends, whereby in the vertical movements of the nest-holder it is held properly against lateral vibration. Also lateral guide-eyes 11 may be employed to project from the side walls of the nest-holder and operate in connection with suitable guide-rods 10 in the side walls of the boxsuch, forinstance, as those formed by the vertical slats of rounds constituting the filling of the side walls, as illustrated in the drawings.

It will be understood that in addition to protecting the occupant of the box embodying my invention against other fowls it affords ample protection against animals destructive to fowls and to eggs by insuring the permanent closing of the only means of access to the interior of the box while the latter is occupied by either a setting or a brood hen.

It will be seen from the foregoing description that the means of connection between the depressible nest box or holder and the door consists simply of a cord which is located wholly abow e the plane of the floor of the coop, whereby the elevation of said floor to allow the housing and movement of operating parts is avoided. The cord (or cords, if preferred) may extend from the nest-holder to the door adjacent to the planes of the side walls, and hence out of the way of fowls in traversing the box.

From the above description it will be seen also that .the device is simple and maybe manufactured at a small cost, the number of movable parts for a device of this class being reduced to the minimum in order to avoid complication and at the same time insure the proper relative movements of the parts in order to reduce the liability of disarrangement.

Itwill be understood, furthermore, that various changes in the form, proportion, and the minor details of construction may be resorted to without departing from the spirit or sacrificing any of the advantages of this invention.

Having described my invention, what I claim is- A nesting-box having its walls provided with vertical guide-rods, a door for the entrance-opening hinged at its lower edge to lopen by downward and outward swinging movement, a nest-holder providedwith eyes fitted to slide upon said guide-rods, elastic hangers for supporting the nest-holder to allow depression thereof when occupied, and a flexible connection, as cords, arranged adjacent to the side walls of the nesting-box, extending over direction-pulleys, from the sides of the nest-holder to the door, all arranged substantially as specified; so that, when the door is closed, it inclines outward and forward toward its upper edge, for opening movement when released; all parts of the flexible connection being located above the plane of the floor of the nesting-box; and the depression of the nest-holder being limited by the flexible connection when the door reaches its closed position.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own I have hereto aflixed my signature in the presence of two witnesses.

JOSEPH HERFER'F.

\Vitnesses:

GEORGE CILLEK, N. J. CARSON. 

